“Their businesses are growing and we respect and appreciate their many positives contributions,” Young said.

Young was joined by State Sen. Ruth Hassell Thompson and Police Commissioner David Chong, who urged Brazilian-Americans to become police officers.

Mount Vernon is unique in that the Brazilians have been totally embraced by the community, said Lima.

“I have been a public servant for many years and I have never experienced so much human contact,” Lima said.

But the court was also hearing another well-publicized local case. Supporters of former Mount Vernon Mayor Ernest Davis gathered in court for the first time since filing a lawsuit alleging voters in the November election were disenfranchised by the fallout from an October FBI raid on city hall.

It was a good day in court for Davis supporters, they said. A judge ruled he wanted to review documents that led to the search warrant, the basis of their claim.

As the happy supporters exited the court building they looked thrilled to be greeted by a ring of cameras and reporters. Curt Stewart, the coordinator for the group, approached the stand that bugled with microphones and announced attorney Stephen Jackson was ready to speak.

Jackson did not come forward, however, after realizing the assembled media was there for Jones, and the group of Davis supporters quickly moved on.

Read the story “here”:a href=”http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080111/NEWS02/801110438”.

Young was one of the 13 mayor-elects from the tri-state area, including Mary Foster of Peekskill, who had lunch with Bloomberg and discussed successful policies and strategies for running a city.

“Although it was a short period of time I walked away with so much information,” Young said this afternoon.
Read more about this story in tomorrow’s Journal News.

In the letter Stewart ask for the clergy to do “what it has historically done in times of community crises.”

The lawsuit, which alleges a federal raid at City Hall disenfranchised voters, is in front of Judge Charles L. Brieant and Stewart is urging the clergy to send a letter to the judge asking him to take the case to trial.

An initial conference hearing is scheduled for Jan. 11 in U.S. District Court in White Plains.

Read the entire letter after the jump.

Dear Members:
In writing you this letter, please afford me, from the outset to make a few points clear: I do not write seeking a favour from you; nor do I write as a scheme to sow seeds of divisiveness in your association. But rather I write as an appeal to the black clergy to do what it has historically done in times of community crises: It has risen to the occasion of identifying the truths in whatever circumstances that might occur, and subsequently, it would premise its positions upon these truths. The most recent November election in Mount Vernon, is calling on the black clergy to once again stand up for the truth.
Surely you know that Supporters of Mayor Davis filed a $600 million federal lawsuit in Federal District Court of White Plains, against Mr. Clinton Young, Ms. Janet Snyder, the FBI and the Justice Department. They alleged that the public raid of Mayor Davis’ office and a litany of other incidents were conspiratorial. They also alleged that the conspirators fraudulently dethroned Mayor Davis, and politically disenfranchised his supporters. The defendants, principally, Mr. Clinton Young, responded, denying that the raid was conspiratorial-asserting that the Supporters of Mayor Davis were wrong to characterize the FBI raid as “racially and politically motivated”; and that the lawsuit was “frivolous,” and the people had spoken by voting for him. Both sides vowed to aggressively fight to defend their positions to the end. So that we may get to the bottom of the case, a trial is necessary, as it will invariably reveal the facts, and the facts will unfold the truth. Since only the truth can bring about an authentic and lasting unity, I am respectfully appealing to the clergy to send a letter to Judge Charles L. Brieant, who will preside over the case- asking of him to take the case to trial. Afford me at this juncture to say, that there are those who would have the Supporters of Mayor Davis to disappear from Mount Vernon’s political landscape-and post-haste. But of course they’re people, who lack vision, conviction, courage and a clear understanding of the need for change, and an understanding of how to effectuate said change. And indeed, they’re devoid of the necessary passion to make the fundamental changes that are required for all the citizens of Mount Vernon. These people who’re attempting to convince Supporters of Mayor Davis to give up the fight, are also preoccupied with how to “hustle” the city out of a few bucks, as opposed to how to structurally, culturally and socially evolve it. That Supporters of Mayor Davis are devoted to building the city for the good of all its citizens, as opposed to a select few, the black bourgeoisie opportunists and the ill-informed black profiteers want them to be gone. But be assured of this: Supporters of Mayor Davis are not going anyplace. While Supporters of Mayor Davis are opting to expose the voting fraud and corruption in the Mount Vernon voting system, and to expose the racial and political motives behind the FBI’s public raid of Mayor Davis’ officeand to point out that the raid caused psychological trauma to untold numbers of black voters, particularly the elderly, the sleek, black, bourgeois opportunists and the black profiteers, want to ignore these vile offencesand to irresponsibly sweep them under the carpetcowardly leaving them there to fester and soarand for the next generation to inherit and wrestle with to eliminate. Of late, Mr. Clinton Young and his agents even have been sowing seeds of defeatism, as a half-baked scheme to encourage Supporters of Mayor Davis to acquiesce and leave the corruption in the voting system alone. They’ve begun to say, “- let it go-and don’t be vindictive- get over it-don’t be a sore loserlet things stay as they are-” I would ask at this point, how can black men and women consciously and conscientiously ignore and leave the voting corruption alone? How can they know that black men schemed and engaged in subterfuge to unseat another black man, but just ”-let it go-”?
How can they know that the FBI, with the press awaiting its arrival, went to City Hall and hoisted empty boxes up out of the mayor’s office, humiliating him and his administration, but ”-don’t be vindictive-? How can they know that the raid upset many African Americans, in all probability traumatized many of them, particularly the elderly, but just ”-get over it-”?
How can they also know that the young men of Mount Vernon, who had brushes with the law, would stay away from the polls upon learning of the FBI raid, but just ”-don’t be a sore loserlet things stay as they are-”? Clearly, these are thoughts of some of our misinformed, sick brothers and sisters. Their ideas are largely warped and jaded; their esteem is extremely low; deep down in the recess of their minds, if not their souls, they fantasize, dream, wish, and desire to be in the white world. They harbour self-hatred and see themselves as inferiors to whites, as they’ve internalized their oppression. All of these abhorrent conditions, are systemic of four hundred years of brutal and unfathomable subjugation.
I might add, that one of the most dangerous tendencies of any oppressed people, is to delusion themselves to believe that they cannot do anything about their plight. Having digested and processed this idea over a period of time, invariably they become habituated to believe that since they cannot do anything about the corruption, in this instance voting corruption, they then cede to become a benefactor of the corruption. The ancient Greek philosopher, Aristotle so clearly states, that should the leadership of society fail to dispense justice, then the masses will not adhere to it.
Unfortunately, this is the predicament that exists here in the city of Mount Vernon, for the young and old. If its leadership cannot dispense justice during a campaign, but rather engages in clandestine fraud and deception to get elected, then it’s a matter of time before the people do the same, in their quest for the good life. The corruption then becomes cancerous, and if it’s not eradicated, it will in due time, spread throughout every neighbourhood in the city.
This is precisely why Supporters of Mayor Davis have lodged their $600,000,000 dollar lawsuit. They intend to get to the root of the voting corruption and to purge it for once and for all. They feel that they owe this to themselves, their children-and all of the beautiful brothers and sisters, (blacks and whites), who gave up their lives so the Voting Right Act would become a living reality for millions of African Americans, who were still locked in the strong arms of Jim Crows in the deep south region of this nation. In closing, let me say again, that the most immediate step that the clergy can take toward deriving the truth in the case, is to write a letter to Judge Charles L. Brieant, and urge him to conduct a public trial in this case. This request does not require of the clergy to take sides; it merely challenges the clergy to exercise the necessary steps to divulge the facts in the case and as a consequence, the truth. Of course Mr. Clinton Young and his cohorts will vehemently opposed a public trail. They will dig in and fight fiercely and feverishly to resist such, for they know once a trial begins, it’ll be a matter of time before the facts will be revealed and the truth unveiled. When this moment is upon the public, Mr. Clinton Young and his coterie of schemers will then indeed go packing. I have written to you this letter in the spirit of seeking truth in this case, and I trust that you will receive my letter in this same spirit. Dr. Martin King would, were he with you -
“Dare to Struggle; Dare to Win—”
Sincerely, Curt Stewart Coordinator for Supporters of Mayor Davis

WE WORKED
TOO HARD!
WE WAITED TOO LONG!

Vann, a former assemblyman, is coming in a show of solidarity for Davis and his supporters but—according to the announcement—will not take sides in the $600 million lawsuit the supporters have filed seeking a new election.

The meeting will be held at the Macedonia Community Center, 103 W. 2nd St., at 7:30 p.m.

They will meet tonight to consider a resolution that would direct their attorney, Stephen Jackson, to add those names as defendants in the lawsuit.
Jackson is also planning to file a court motion seeking to stop Young from being sworn in as mayor.

The supporters claim a FBI raid shortly before the general election was an attempt to stifle voter’s rights and that Young was working with the federal agencies.

Young has denied working with the FBI and called the lawsuit divisive. The lawsuit names Young, the Justice Department, the FBI and others as defendants.

Curt Stewart, coordinator for the group, said affidavit forms for those who were discouraged from voting will be collected during the meeting.

The meeting will be held at the Macedonia Community Center, 103 West 2nd Street at 7 p.m.

Chairwoman Serapher Conn-Halevi will handout leadership and achievement awards to Thomas Abillama, Susan Capeci, Daniella Jackson, Rudy Persaud, and Charnese Stephenson. Others to be recognize include Robert Doughty.

Tickets are $95. Attendees are asked to bring hats, gloves, scarves and blankets for city seniors.

Federal investigators seized City Hall records as part of an investigation
into possible mob ties to city trash-hauling contracts on Oct. 11.
The documents were related to three waste-management companies – A&D
Carting, United Waste Services and Tran Camp Demolition – and two
individuals, Albert Tranquillo III and his late father, Albert Tranquillo
II.

When the documents were seized Mayor Ernest Davis’s volunteer lawyer, Ravi
Batra, said the council was responsible for awarding these contracts. Davis
has now put Batra in charge of a commission meant to root out corruption in
the city, and Batra has subpoenaed the county for documents related to these
companies.

The contract process starts with a departmental request to the council
to pass legislation to approve bid specifications and request advertising
for a bid. The bid goes to the Board of Estimate and Contract, which
includes the mayor, council president and the comptroller. The contracts
board has the final approval, after the bid is reviewed by the law
department and the department that requested it. The contracts from A&D
Carting reviewed by The Journal News do show that Davis, who
chairs the board, signed the contracts next to the signature of Tranquillo
II.

Spano’s support adds to the growing number of major Democratic figures who have already backed Young since he beat out Mayor Ernest Davis in the Democratic primary. Davis is still running on two minor-party lines.

Spano will join Young and other Democrats at city committee headquarters, 1 Park Ave., at 11:30 a.m.Westchester Democratic Party Chairman Reginald LaFayette, city committee chairwoman Serapher Conn-Halevi and Councilman Lyndon Williams, who is running for county legislator, are also expected to be present.

The mayor has officially appointed offered Ravi Batra as pro bono counsel to the Office of the Mayor.

Although the city’s Urban Renewal Agency is under federal investigation the mayor said he is not the target. Critics of Davis question why Batra’s services are needed and what exactly  will he be doing.

Batra, whose name once was mentioned as a candidate to chair Westchester County’s Democratic Party is the assistant secretary, has been a staunch supporter of Davis.

The New Rochelle native has a law firm in New York City. Batra had close ties with Assemblyman Clarence Norman, the controversial Brooklyn Democratic chairman, who was indicted in a judgeship scandal and convicted in 2005 of soliticiting illegal campaign contributions. But Batra himself never was implicated and denied any wrongdoing.

Read Davis full statement after the jump.

“I am cognizant of Ravi’s passion to right wrongs, fight injustice, and serve the public good. He is specifically authorized to render assistance as requested by the US Attorney for the Southern District to ensure a transparent city government that respects its citizens and honors its public trust� commented Mayor Ernest D. Davis, “As mayor of Mount Vernon, it gives me great pleasure to have Ravi’s advice and counsel.�

But nevermind that because the Campaign Committee to Re-elect Mayor Ernie Davis is holding an opening reception at their headquarters, 114 Gramatan Ave. The opening is this Saturday and starts at 11 a.m.

Young said he welcomes the committee and anyone else to look into the complaints and he called the move “pure petty politics.”

However, as it turns out the committee considers notice to the press about filed complaints an unfair campaign practice in itself.

The committee review complaints to determine whether a hearing is warranted or any action should be taken. If a complaint does merit a hearing the committee issues its findings on whether the action was an unfair campaign practice.

Read Davis’ full letter after the jump. (It is addressed to Barbara Jaffe, who no longer takes complaints at the committee.)

Westchester County Fair Campaign Practices Committee
Attn: Barbara Jaffe
200 Hamilton Avenue, Room 12 B
White Plains, NY 10601

Dear Ms. Jaffe,

With only five weeks left before the people of Mount Vernon select their next Mayor they must have the utmost assurance that those seeking the City’s highest elective office have not used government resources to further their political ambitions.

It is has been alleged that Clinton Young has abused his authority as the Co-Chairman of the County Board of Legislators by using Westchester County resources to conduct his campaign for Mount Vernon Mayor. Mr. Young has been accused of using the Board of Legislators conference rooms to hold campaign staff and planning meetings during the months of March, April and May of 2007.

Many of Mr. Young’s Mayoral Campaign workers are employees of the County Board. For fear of retribution it has been reported anonymously that on at least 2 different occasions that Mr. Young interviewed political consultants in the Legislative conference room. He also conducted a full scale campaign staff meeting with his campaign workers and the consultant to review the consultant’s proposal for his campaign and determine if the consultant would be retained. The Board’s photo copier was also used to make copies for distribution at this meeting.

Mr. Young was fully aware of the impropriety of this meeting. He told those in attendance to say that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss summer internship programs. Lying for the sake of attaining power is unacceptable. It is a portent of what to expect should Mr. Young become the Mayor of Mount Vernon.

The people of Mount Vernon must know that their Mayor will be straightforward. They should get truthfulness at all times from the person who wants to be Mayor is asking for their trust. This is a scared obligation that we owe to the people.

I ask that you look into these allegations because good government is not possible where there is a lack of trust.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

Ernest D. Davis

Final, but still unofficial numbers, show Young with 4,144 votes over Mayor Ernest Davis’ 3,768.

These results will be certified on Monday, at which time the Board of Elections will declare the winner.

Twelve-year incumbent Davis has not conceded but said through a spokesperson he will announce a decision on his candidacy early next week. Davis must decide whether to reverse himself and run on the Conservative and Indepdendence lines; earlier he had said he would suppor the Democratic winner.

Hottinger, who has served on the council since 1998,  was aligned with Davis and other candidates nominated by the Democratic City Committee but a recent dust up over public records made her change her mind, she said.

In a letter Hottinger explained her decision. In a telephone interview she said she remains nuetral on the county legislative race in which Councilman Lyndon Williams and Democratic City Chairwoman Serapher Conn-Halevi face off.

Hottinger wrote:

“Recently I joined with the Majority of the City Council in a vote to issue subpoenas to the Mayor as well as to other City Agencies for the information requested first 6 months ago and several times since.  That information had not been delivered at the time of that vote and no time line had been provided to the Council by the Mayor or others as to when it would be delivered.
That action was viewed as POLITICAL, not as in the best interests of the citizens of Mount Vernon who have a right to that information.
Others POLITICIZED my vigorous efforts on behalf of Mount Vernon’s Citizens. Little did they know that reaction would GALVANIZE me to act. That action is to agree that IT IS TIME FOR A CHANGE. That change is represented by Clinton Young and he will have my vote for Mayor.”

Conn-Halevi also picked up the endorsement of the Mount Vernon Uniformed Firefighters. Noah Lighty, president of the fire union, said Conn-Halevi has always been for the firefighters, “not just when the cameras were on.”

Davis is facing a primary challenge from County Legislator Clinton Young.

County Legislator Clinton Young, who is challenging Davis in a primary run, questioned the endorsement and that of Lt. Gov. David Paterson.

“While I respect and admire Lt. Governor David Paterson, I am surprised and disappointed that he is supporting a man whose ideals are contradictory to that of the Democratic Party,” Young said. “Davis should come clean about his support by the Mount Vernon Conservative Party… this is an insult to the thousands of Democratic voters in Mount Vernon.

Flanked by the Rev. W Franklyn Richardson, Assemblyman Gary Pretlow, and Reginald LaFayette, chairman of the Westchester Democratic Committee, as well as two city leaders running for county board seats, Davis beamed as they heaped praises on his administration’s accomplishments.

Davis is facing a primary challenge from County Legislator Clinton Young.

Richardson described Davis’ re-election bid as a plane about to take flight. He asked why would anyone would want toremove the pilot at that moment.

Paterson, alluding to the governor’s Troopergate scandal which centered on the use of state aircraft, asked jokingly if the vessel Davis was commanding could instead be a ship.

Acknowledging he is not a city resident, Paterson said if he was one of the city’s 26,000 Democrats he would vote for Davis based on his work on housing, economic development and fiscal management.

The flier contains a reprint of a letter to the editor criticizing Young’s choice of words during the recent debate between the two candidates.

However, it also included the official heading of the newspaper, which might have given some people the impression the letter was an article. The use of the newspaper’s heading was not authorized.

The church has over 4,000 members and has a strong presence in community development projects in the city.

Last week, Davis picked up the endorsement of County Executive Andrew Spano, Deputy County Executive Larry Schwartz confirmed. Schwartz said Spano was going with the city’s Democratic Committee’s endorsed candidate.

Davis supporters yelled “Four more years!” while Young’s supporters went with: “No more years!”

To an observer, it seemed Fire Commissioner Nicholas Cicchetti started the pro-Davis side of the rally.

The crowd continued their vocal support until people exited from the city’s Armory, the location of the debate.

The event is presented as a movie billboard and is one in a series of youth forums Young is holding as part of his mayoral campaign. Young and Denzel will be at the Centennial Church parking lot, 8th Avenue between 4th and 5th street, from 5 to 7 p.m.